Legends are a specific kind of narrative, and with this lesson plan your students will practice both reading and writing them. Students will explore the elements of a narrative to apply to their own writing.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this lesson, students will be able to:

Define a legend, as distinguished from a folktale or myth

Identify the critical elements of narrative writing

Apply the elements of a narrative in their own writing

Length

90-120 minutes

Curriculum Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.3.A

Engage and orient the reader by setting out a problem, situation, or observation and its significance, establishing one or multiple point(s) of view, and introducing a narrator and/or characters; create a smooth progression of experiences or events.

Use a variety of techniques to sequence events so that they build on one another to create a coherent whole and build toward a particular tone and outcome (e.g., a sense of mystery, suspense, growth, or resolution).

Legend-Writing Activity

Ask students to read through the legend of Robin Hood again and identify the characters, conflict, plot, setting, and themes. Have students share these with the class.

Explain that this form of narrative is something called a legend. In general, a legend is a fictional form of writing that is based on real history, and often involves a person who either was or may have been real, but whose life and exploits are often aggrandized. For example, Robin Hood is set in medieval England, and incorporates real events in English history. Robin Hood may (or may not) have existed, but nothing is really known about him. Legends generally begin as folktales that are passed down orally until being written down. Some legends contain magical or mystical elements, but not all.

Ask students to consider Robin Hood as a legendary figure.

Why would people tell stories about Robin Hood? What does Robin Hood represent? What does this tell us about medieval English society?

Does it matter if Robin Hood really existed? Does the legend of Robin Hood or the reality of Robin Hood matter more?

Explain to students that they are going to write their own legends, which take place in the modern world. Provide students with a list of figures in popular culture today who are recognized but very little is known about. For example, a figure perfect for a modern legend could be the 'Left Shark' from the 2015 Super Bowl Halftime Show (we acknowledge that this reference will be dated in the fast-paced world of modern media, but hopefully this serves as an example of a modern legend). Please use whatever modern figures will be relevant to your class.

Students will select a figure from this list, and start to plan a short story in which their figure appears as a moral hero. To do this, students will consider the following:

What are some issues in the world today? What conflict will drive the plot of your legend narrative?

What role will your hero play in this legend? In what way will they either be a product of the conflict, or represent an ideal solution to the conflict? How will your character inspire people?

What will the resolution be? Will your character fix the conflict entirely, just one part of it, or simply inspire the people to fix it themselves?

Students will spend the rest of class outlining and writing their legend, first defining the setting, plot, characters, and themes. Remind them that they are presenting their characters as legendary figures who represent something to the modern world. Students should not strive to research the actual person behind this figure, but should feel free to interpret their life with fictional license. Students may choose to include magical elements or not.

After students have completed their legends (either in class or out of class) organize them into small groups. Ask students to share their legends with their peers.

Extension

As an out-of-class extension, give students a list of legends. Students will select one of these legends to research. They will learn about the legend and report on the themes, settings, and characters of the legend, as well as what it shows us about the people who created it and any historicity behind it.

Summary:

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